Architecturally rich and gorgeously maintained, 3233 Bayo Vista is an exquisite 3+BD/1.5BA home in the sought-after Fernside neighborhood of Alameda. A brilliant example of the Craftsman architectural style common in Alameda, the home enjoys period details including high tray ceilings, spacious rooms, gleaming hardwood floors, and burnished gumwood wainscoting, trims, and built-ins throughout. Many stylish upgrades throughout the home include recessed lighting, a sophisticated chef’s kitchen, and modern baths. The home includes a formal dining room, three light-filled bedrooms on the second level (one with private deck - opportunity for an en suite bath?), a huge downstairs bonus room that adds an abundance of living and storage space, and a verdant rear yard that is a perfect place for alfresco entertaining, organic gardening, hot tub, or play area. Ideally situated near Edison School and Lincoln Park, the home is just blocks from the vibrant Park Street hub with its many independent shops and restaurants, as well as the High Street Bridge, Transbay bus lines, and the SF ferry.
From the quiet street, brick steps lead to the traditional covered front porch. Flanked by leaded stained glass panels, the front door - complete with its original hardware - opens to reveal a spacious foyer lit by a vintage-style chandelier. Through a doorway, the gracious living room enjoys a wide picture window that fills the room with natural light. A travertine-faced fireplace is flanked by high windows and built-in gumwood display shelves with leaded glass doors.
The adjacent formal dining room is steeped in vintage character with a tray ceiling and luminous wainscoting typical of the period. A built-in window seat rests beneath dual sash windows, and a charming built-in gumwood hutch includes cabinets and drawers for table linens and display shelves for favorite serving pieces.
The discerning home chef will fall in love with the expansively remodeled kitchen with its stone countertops, subway tile backsplash, and breakfast bar for quick meals. A professional series gas range makes cooking a joy, and for those who like to daydream while cleaning up, a trio of casement windows above the deep sink overlook the rear yard. Designed for practicality as well as beauty, the kitchen features an abundance of cabinets that provide space for nearly everything a home chef could need - the pantry even includes appliance outlets to keep the counters uncluttered. At one end of the kitchen is a convenient powder room, and glass French doors are well placed for carrying snacks out to the wide deck and expansive rear yard.
Upstairs, the spacious primary bedroom runs the width of the home with windows on three sides that create the feeling of a sunporch. This room includes a large closet and a mini-split air conditioning/heating unit. The secondary bedroom is also filled with natural light and a view of the hills and features a walk-in closet for storage. The third bedroom also has a large closet with organizer, and multipane French doors open onto a private balcony - a quiet spot to put your feet up and enjoy the hillside view.
The bedrooms share a large sunny bath with period wainscoting and a modern shower over tub with decorative tile inset and frameless glass door. A stone-topped vanity provides ample storage, and a triple mirror is flanked by vintage-style sconces.
Downstairs, the finished basement is a huge bonus space large enough for multiple seating areas, ping-pong or billiard tables, or a home theater. Also on this level are multiple storage closets and a laundry area with a washer and dryer.
One of the many highlights of the home is the expansive rear yard. A shady deck at the back of the home is just off the kitchen - a beautiful spot for drinks and hors d’ oeuvres with friends or neighbors. The sheltering orange tree has been known to produce more than 100 pounds of oranges in a single year - enough to keep you in orange juice and mimosas and still have enough to share with neighbors. The enclosed lawn area is lined with mature trees and shrubs, as well as colorful bougainvillea and hydrangeas. A second larger deck sits beneath a charming pergola (with an outlet that makes this an ideal setting for a hot tub or an outdoor bar), and a new Tuff Shed provides storage space. The adjoining side yard features a wide brick patio with raised planter beds for organic vegetables, and two additional storage sheds offer plenty of space for all your gardening equipment.
All of this is located in the island city of Alameda, where the small-town sensibility is evident in the twice-weekly farmer’s market, picnic areas and summer concerts at Crab Cove, Crown Beach with its annual sandcastle competition, the longest 4th of July parade in the country, and twice-yearly art and wine fairs.
Additional Highlights: Custom vintage-style window coverings Insulated attic with fan Finished basement with French drain Abundant storage opportunities Tankless water heater Mini-split AC/Heating unit Automated irrigation system
